Isro to launch PSLV-C 15 vehicle on Monday

Indian Space Research Organisation will put into orbit the latest remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2B, along with four smaller satellites (ALSAT-2A of Algeria, AISSAT-1 of Canada, TISSAT-1 of Switzerland and STUDSAT of India), on July 12.

The satellites will be put into orbit by PSLV-C15, the 17th flight of India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The PSLV-C15 will be launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, at 9.22 am on Monday, July 12.

“The 694-kg CARTOSAT-2B will be launched into a 630-km high Sun Synchronous Orbit. The satellite carries a panchromatic camera and is capable of imaging a geographical strip of land (swath) of 9.6 km with a resolution of 0.8 metre,” ISRO sources said.

“The satellite will help in detailed urban and infrastructure development planning,” the sources stated.

The satellite is also expected to be useful in transportation system planning, preparation of micro watershed development programmes and monitoring of developmental works at the village level.

“CARTOSAT-2B’s imagery can be used for preparation of tree volume estimation, crop inventory, village settlement mapping, planning for comprehensive development, rural connectivity assessment, planning new rural roads and monitoring their construction,” the sources stated.

According to ISRO source, the 50-hour count down for the launch of PSLV’s 17th flight had begun on Saturday morning. “The count down is progressing well and the launch is on schedule,” the sources added.